CAF President sends urgent message to Benni McCarthy after Harambee Stars appointment [VIDEO]

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has shared his thoughts on the appointment of South African tactician Benni McCarthy as the new head coach of the Harambee Stars.

The 47-year-old's contract will run through to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

McCarthy was officially unveiled as the head coach of Kenya’s national football team on Monday, March 3, during a grand ceremony held at a Nairobi hotel.

Now, he faces the challenge of preparing the team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, starting with The Gambia (away) and Gabon (home).

McCarthy, previously a coach at Manchester United, steps into the role with both anticipation and skepticism surrounding his appointment.

CAF President Motsepe, who has closely followed Kenyan football developments, particularly due to the country's upcoming co-hosting of the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament in August, expressed his support for McCarthy's appointment.

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Speaking to FKF Vice President McDonald Mariga on the sidelines of CAF’s 14th Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo, Motsepe made it clear that he expects positive results from McCarthy.

“Benni is your coach; tell him he is very, very lucky, and I need results now. I will only be happy when he delivers because Kenya is very special,” Motsepe said.

McCarthy has already named his first squad for the upcoming matches against The Gambia and Gabon, which will be played in the Ivory Coast and Nairobi, respectively. The local-based players will begin training on Wednesday, with the rest of the squad joining them on Sunday.

Provisional squad

Goalkeepers

Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City)

Defenders

Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Siraj Mohamed (Bandari FC), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC), Levis Esambe (AFC Leopards SC), Eric Ouma (Rakow Czestochowa), Johnstone Omurwa (Kapaz fc), Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims), Collins Sichenje (FK Vojvodina), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch), Amos Nondi (Ararat)

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Midfielders

Musa Katibi (Kenya Police FC), Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards SC), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (Mara Sugar FC), Andreas Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Richard Odada (Dundee United), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Timothy Ouma (Slavia Prague), Apollo Otieno (Dodoma Jiji), Amos Nondi (FC Ararat), Eric Johanna (UTA Arad), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar Khorramabad), Ismail Gonzalez (Merida AD), William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners)

Forwards

Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Alvin Mang’eni (Kenya Police FC), Mohamed Bajaber (Kenya Police FC), Eric Balecho (Tusker FC), Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka FC), Elvis Rupia (Singida Blackstars), John Avire (Porto Suez), Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren), Michael Olunga (Al – Duhail), Mathew Tegisi (Pamba Jiji), Masud Juma (Esteghlal FC)

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